Clutch pencil



V IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

July} '10, 1928.

E. CALDWELL CLUTCH PENC IL Filed Dec. 22, 1922 Patented-July IQlQZE,

I EDWI CALDWELL, 0F NEW'Y R'K; N. 'i

@ oL 'roH rnircrn.

Applicatio n filed December 22., 1922 Serial No. 608,435; I i l i This invention relate's'to pencils and parv ticularly" to the type of pencils having a stick of lead movable within a holder" and pus clamping devices for gripping the lead-stic-k and-holding it with its end proyect ng slightly-beyond the end ofthe holder. In

q prior pencils-of this type in which a pluralit y,. of lead sticks are contained in the barrel of the pencil and fed successively into the gripping or clamping device, the

I lead sticks have hada tendency to joinor bind upon one another with a result that-the feeding of theflead sticks to the. gripping or, clamping device automatically could not be depended upon. The. gripping or clampv Figure 3 ing devices, therefore, commonly employed, a'ndwhich utilize clamping iaws formedby Slittinga tube or sleeve lengthwise for a" portion of its length engage and'holdf the lead along but a short portion of its length, with the result that} the lead-stick in use frequently breaks off causing waste, delay and annoyonce in the use of the pencil. In

order-.to hold thelead from turning, resort has been had to scoring, grooving or ndenting thereof by the clamping device, butthis always weakens theslead andcauses it' to leads carried therein maybe fed successively through the clamping or gripplng device by 7 break frequently at the weakened? points when pressure-is applied to the Writing end thereof; i

31in object of the invention 1s to prov de an improved pencil in whicha plurality. of

gravity *and withoutv jamm ng or sticking; with which the danger of breakage ofthe lead-sticks .is reduced to a minimum; in

which the lead-sticks are securely held aga nst endwlse displacement or turning without weakening the sticks; Whichmay beeasily andquickly filled or charged'with durable and inexpensive inconstruction,-. convenient and practical in use, attractive in appearancaand well balanced; and which encourages refilling; with erasers" and leads .a fresh supply of leads; whichlhas amaxi- 'n'ium possible capacity of leadsticks' at each loading or charging; which may be given any desired finish; which is "simple, strong,

1 marketed by the concern marketing thefpen cil. r V

obglecte amladvantapes will he ap 4: In the accompanyingidrawin Figs 1 1183111 elevatlon ofa pencilco structed 1n accordanceiwiththe inventionij .tion of thjesame;

showing the slit cap parentfrom thefollowing 1 description of an embodiment of the'invention, and the novel features; will be particularly pointed outv hereinafter in claims. g H ,l' i

, Fig; 2 .is longitudinal.sectionalgeleva Fig. 3] is "an enlarged longitudinal". sec-- is inserted into the barrel'of the pencil; V

, 1 Fig, 7 is an end eleva-tion of'the same and I In. the embodiment v illustrated ,ifigur es 7, a sleeve is provided with an end2 of reduced diameter which is secured Within Q one end ofiacasing 3 of suitable ii'naterial,"

preferably metal; such as brass. The sleeve may be secured thereinjby solder, welding,

tional elevation of a portion of the same, v showing the feeding ofthe leads from the r of the magazine "beor in any other suitable -I nanner.'- The ex posed portionof the sleeve is provided with V .a reduced annular peripheral groove 4-, and

upon the. outer end thereof'with screw threads 5.. A plurality of jawslfi are see oured within the outerenclof the sleeve 1 so as toform an extension thereohthe jaws i havingi b'etween 'them a passage 7 of sub- .stan-tially uniform cross-section throughout its length andbf a size to 'slidably receive 7 ,a marking pencil leadstick such as istcommonlyused'in-clutch pencils, 'The jaws are formed separately such as by die stamping, and :theircombined outer surface, when as sembled, is tapered in. a direction away from the sleeve, to. substantially an edge at I the: OtlllGlYEl'lClz; Y q i 1 A tubular cap 'has a, tapered inner wall corresponding substantially to the taperifo fthe outer surface of theassembled aws, fits over the assembled iaws and at itsflarger has screw threaded ngagement w th the screw threads 5 of the sleeve 1. When the capis adjusted upon'the sleeve by means of its screw threaded connection therewith, it is adapted to compress the jaws and cause them to grip or clamp a pencil lead-stick 9, which may be disposed between them, for a considerable distance which is preferably at I least the majorportion oftheclengt-h of the jaws. ;'When the cap '8 is unscrewed, the

tapered inner wall thereof will release the jaws, which because of theirresil' ency will spring apart slightly and release the lead 9. The lead can then be adjusted by gravity along the passage between the jaws so as to project from the jaws the desire dextent. iVhen'the cap 8 is screwed upon the sleeve to a greater extentthejaws will be compressed to clamp or grip the lead 9 along a considerable length thereof and securely hold it'against retatien and endwise move ment in the passage between the jaws, without scor1ng,,indenting or otherwise 1n ur1ng the lead in such a manner as to cause 1t to break when pressure is applied to the outer tip thereof. If desired, the large end of the cap may be spun or otherwise flanged inwardly into the annular groove 4 so as to.

prevent the completeremova l of the cap from the sleeve, but at the same time'permit I of a considerable adjustment upon the sleeve suflicient to clamp or release'tlie lead 9. The jaws and cap together comprise what 'may be hereinafter referred to as a lead able material such as fibre or metal and atthe end'first inserted into the casing of the pencilit is reduced somewhat in cross section, as at 11. The extreme end of the reduced extension'is bevelled inwardly a short distance so as to provide a frusto-conica'l inturned annular flange 12.

A cap 13' of thin'metal, such as tin, is fitted over the reduced extension 11 of the magazine and is provided with a, flat end l l which lies entirely or substantially in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the magazine. The inner end of the sleeve 1 1s bevelled 1nwardly in a direction away from the magazine so as [OPFOVlClG a tapered annular seat 15 against which the cap,

13 may be forced when the magazine is inserterhinto the casing of the pencil and rammed or otherwise the'annular seat 15;

The end 14 of the cap is provided with pushed firmly against outwardly from an interior point of the end of the cap, so that when the cap is forced against the annular seat, an annular peripheral portion of the endof'the cap will be forced against the flanged seat 12, which will distort the end of the cap into a shape sub-.

stantially conical and result in a separation ofthe pointed tongues-17 formed by the intersectlng Shts. The outward bending of the tongues 17in this manner will cause them to separate at the interior point of in tersection of the slits and produce an open ing through which a plurality of reserve leads carried in the magazine may pass successively to the lead gripping device which issecured' in the end of the barrel or casing.

The slits 16 are so placed in the end 1 1- of tire cap that when the opening is formed by the separation. of the tongues 17, it will be in alignment with the passage 7 between the jaws of the gripping device, so that'the leads may pass freely from the magazine into the passage 7.

A bushing or sleeve 18 is preferablypro-j 19, however, is in alignment with/a longitudinal. portion of the wall of the passage 7, so'that when a lead is positioned against that portion of the wall. 19 which is in alignment with the passage 7, the lead will be aligned directly with the passage .7 and can pass freely into the latter. I have found that by this placing of the wall 19in the portion of I the magazine from which the leads pass to the gripping device, the leads will not jam when being fed through the aperture-in the magazine to the gripping'device, but will pass suc cessively and freely from the n'iagazine tof the -i-iwinodevice. The leads carried-in the magazine arechsposed not only within the sleeve or bushing 18, but also in the chamber of the magazine beyond the bushing or sleeve 18, and as the pencil islturned while writing. the leads will pa. large chamber of the magazine into the pas sage 19 within the sleeve or bushing 18.

The magazine is provided with peripheral flange or rib 20 which is adapted to abut against the outer end of the casing 3 when the magazine has been forced into the casing to the maximum possible extent. The

magazine extendsoutwardly beyond the rib 20 for a short distance and has internal screw threads which receivethe threaded end 21 of an eraser ferrule 22. An eraser 23, such as of rubber-or a rubber composition is secured in the outer end of the ferrule so as to extend therefrom a short distance.

a plurality of intersecting slits 16, radiating A protective cap 2% is adapted to be titled from the a magazine and'a-butagainst the rib, or flange over the outwardly extending endnolv the desired. 5 Theprotectiveccap 24 is of the same material as'the casing and is preter- :ably-figiven afinish'similar thereto, so: as to present an attractive appearance. 2, WVhilef lead is entirely Worn out and removed.

" p the eraser ferruleand eraser serve-to close the outer end ofthe magazine 10, I prefer-' ably also close the outer end'of'the maga- T zine by a disc 25 which is secured therein '20 a o r WVhen' the-pencil 1s to housed, a magaz1ne'10 containing a supply of leads s inin any suitablenianner, such -as by forcing the disc into the magazine under pressure.

When thezeraser is worn down substantially to the ferrule. the ferrule may be rer moved from the casing and replaced by anotherterule and:eraser, or the eraser' may I be removed fro n the t'urreule and replaced byxa new eraseiyavhich isiorcedtherein.

' s erted intov thevopen end of the casing 3 andpushed firmly against the seat 15 of; the sleevezl so as"v toopenl the magazine and 3 "allow theleads 9=containedhthcrein tofeed by gravity successivelfy between the-jaws 6 o l l hen the 'jawsarereleasedl by unscrewing into the passage 7 the gripping device;

thecap S to some extent the leads Willdrop I by gravity into the passage Tit: the pencil-is heldin a. substantiallyvertical position. with V the cap 8 at the lowerench lVhen one of the leads has passed along the passage 7 so as i to extendtbeyond the cap S'to thejdesir'e'd extent, the cap 8l may be tightenedfupon the "sleeve lfso as to, force the jaws .together' andsecurely and .e'ilectivelycclamp the lead alonga, considerable portion of its length,

wvhich prevents iendwise displacement of the lead and alsoturning theireof 'w ithin'th'ei pas- I sage 7. The pencil may then be used, in the usual manner to mark with tlre 'pr'ojecting-end ofthc lead 9, 'andbeca'use of the conscious or unconscious turning ofthe'pen- -cil by the Writer," the'lead 9 willfalways be turned accordingly, and consequently will a ways he polnted'or sharp. The same: turn:

ingmoveinent Will} cause descent ofthe'leadsticks from the upper part of the magazine 'intothe sleve 18 at the lower end thereof. to replace those that pass from the latter. into i the gripping'or clamping devicerzat inter- :vals. uniformly;clamping the leadstick in use for a considerable-portion. of its length, Which preferably mayhe thatfportion between the outer ends-ofthe'jaavs and thesleeve 1, the lead-stiok: Will be firmly gripped or clamped against both: turning and endWise displacement, without producing indentations or scorlngs therein Whlcll would tend to cause it to break off at the maytbe referred to as thebarrel of the -pena point ofindentation or-sc'oring wheupressure is applied to the. point in: Writing.

NVhenlthe proj ectingf'enda of the lead is worn down, the cap 8 may be loosenedflsufliciently to allow the lead to descendgto a further ext-tent and-1 then'be tightened. to, again clamp a i it against turning and;endwisedisplacementi 7 f 5 As the leadiisl usedup, other leads in"the magazinerwill: descend into the passage}? behindit. andzwill replace :it as the preceding in substantial'alignment. W-ith'a portion; of

are to be fed-,jammingof theleadsjvill'be effectively prevented and the leads: Will underthe influence of gravity, descend sue.-

V y' nd freely into the passage v'K-pf eripp gde ice. a v

: :When' all lot-the magazine .may be I removed wby pulling it,

froin-the'open end of the casing, discarded, I 1

and, replaced by a 'neW magaZine With ia lealdsyihave n used, the

fresh supplyio'f leadsrsThe :new magazinefis placed in the casing andits end with the cap is forced against the,bevelledigorff' coniealiseat 15 ofthe sleeve;.1 ,'-s o' as to. open] '90 5 the magazine and" allovv thei contained leads to pass into the. gripping device. r If an erasure is'to be mader the pjencil servesiasca holder for the erasen -and When theeraser v is not in use, it mayv beflconoealed byllthef" Tshe magazines With lead s. areipreterably each: provided- With a: new eraser, but if p de.-, y sired" the-olderaser. j'could besused-vvlth new magazine until'theeraser' is entirely worn out i-beforeit discarded. If. theeraser is worn. outbeforethe' supply ofleads in the magazine is,jexhausted, thef'ferrule can be removed-fromtherh'agazme andare+ I placed; by a new ferrule and,eraser,-for:a

new eraser may be placedaini the ferrule;

,r'llhe: leads areasuppliedlto the-user. in the V .ingazinesm vhiclrserve as the: container in I wvhich theyare-,marketedia'ndbmayibe care -riedaboutin the pocketsof the user,=or may be stored Without danger-of breakage of the leads contained therein. .They: may :be in- 'serted into the pencil-form bya very simple andrapid operation.

The plug 25. preventsvthe tal-li-ngfout' 6r" the leads when theferrule is changed,'and 11 also compels therelillingott'the magazine through the aperture between the tongues 17 of; thecap a 13 thereof, which is a rather slow process and would' encourage the' pu'rchase otneW- magazmes w th contained leads rather' than supply ofleadsfin some other form: of containers 1" i The use of the particular erasers, which are illustrated is also encouraged, I-bygreason I of the unusual'mounting thereotif In the claims, the sleeve 1' 'andjca'singh3f" ci-l,*-'and the entire pencil withoutr-the mag-a zine may be referred to as the pencil form. It will beobvious that various changes in the materials, details and arrangements of parts, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. f 1

I claim: a

1. A clutch pencil comprising va barrel, a clutch device at one end 7 of the barrel through which leads are fed from the barrel and operable to clamp the leads therein at any portion of theirtravel by gravity through the clutchdevice, and a closed magazine containing asupply of leads insertible into and removablejfrom the barrel at the 7 end thereof opposite the clutchdevice, said magazine andbarrelcooperating during the final movement'of insertion of the magazine into the barrel too en the ma azine at its end adjacent the clutch device, automati- Cally by the. act of insertion, whereby the leads. will i be fed by gravity successively from the magazine into the clutch device.

2. A'clutch pencil comprising a barrel, a

clutch device at one end of the barrel v the gripping means.

through which leadsare fed from the barrel and operable to clamp the leads therein at any portion of their travel by gravity through the clutch device, and a closed magazine containing a supply of leads insertable into and removable from the barrel at the end thereof opposite the clutch device;

leads passing endwise therethrough from the interior of the form, and a magazine, insertable into and removable from the interior of the form, containing a plurality of leads, and having an end wall which opens outwardly'when pressure is applied endwise thereto, the interior of the form at the end with the grippingmeans having an abutment cooperating with the said end wall to open it when pressure is created between the means and magazine, whereby the leads will be fed successively from the magazines into 4.1 A clutch pencil comprising a pencil formih'aving at one endmeans for gripplng leads passingendwise therethrough from the interior of the form, and a magazine insertable into and removable from the interior of the form, the form,vin its interior and the magazine hav ng cooperating parts for openingthe magazine when pressure bee tween them is created and allowing the leads to fall by gravity successively through the,

gripping means.

-. -5. A clutch pencil comprising a pencil} form having at onecnd a lead gripping device with a lead conducting passage running endwise theret-hrough from the interior of the form and a closed ma azine insertable into and removable from-the interior of the form and containing a plurality of leads, the form having in its interior means to open the magazine when pressure is created between the latter and said means by the act of embodying the magazine into the form, whereby the leads will feed successive ly iro in the n'ia'gazine to the passage of the gripping means, Y

6. A clutch pencil comp-rising a pencil form having at one end a lead gripping device with a lead conducting passage running endwise therethrough from the interior of the form, and a i'nagazine insertable into and removable from the interior of the form and adapted to contain a plurality of leads, one

endwall of the magazine having a beveled 7 corner, and a cap with a fiat end Wall closing this beveled end of the magazine and having intersecting slits radiating from an interior point to the periphery thereof, the interior of the form having a frusto conical annular seat aligned with the beveled corner ofthe inagazine whereby when pressure is created between the capped end of the magazine and the seat as the" magazine is embodied into thelpencll form, the cap will be distorted comically and opened by a separationof the points of the cap formed by the intersecting slits whereby the leads will be fed through the end cap into the passage of the gripping device successively.

7. A clutch pencil con'iprising a pencil fori'n'having at one end. a lead gripping de vice with a lead conducting passage running endwise therethrough from the interiorof the form, and a magazine insert-able into and removable from the interior of the form and containing a plurality of leads, one end wall of the magazine having a beveled corner, a

cap with a flat end wall closingt-his beveled end of the magazine and having intersecting slits radiatingfrom an interior point to the periphery thereof, the interior of, the form having a frusto' conical annular seat aligned with vthe beveled corner of the magazine, whereby whenipressure is created between the capped end of the magazine and the seat asthe magazine is embodied into the pencil. form, the cap will be distorted conic'ally and opened by a separation of the paints er? cap formed hy the intersecting slits whefehy Wail aligned with epeftion of the opening the leads will be fed through the end cap into of the cap whereby the leads will be fed the passage of the gripping device succesthrou h the opening of the cap successively 1n sively, the internal opening of the magazine Without jamming.

eecentrieally thereof with a portion of its' v I at the end closed by the cap being larger than In Witness whereof I hereuntd subscribe the opening formed in thecap and disposedmy signature, V i

i EDWIN CALDWELL. 

